Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Analyses

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—also known as Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)—are a diverse group of manufactured compounds frequently used as surfactants in industrial, consumer, military, and firefighting applications across the United States, such as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) firefighting products, textiles, carpeting, metal plating, paper food packaging, cleaning products, coating additives, and pesticides.

health concerns related to pfas

PFAS compounds exhibit distinctive chemical characteristics that make them stable in the environment and resistant to degradation, allowing them to bioaccumulate in soil, sediment, groundwater, and animal tissue over time. Two types of PFAS are particularly persistent: Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOS and PFOA are fully fluorinated organic compounds which happen to be the most commonly produced PFAS in the U.S. Both the U.S. EPA and the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) have identified various PFAS as having potential adverse effects on the environment and public health. For this reason, EPA included six PFAS compounds in round three of its Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). Similarly, the State Board requested that operators of active landfills in the Santa Ana Region test for 18 various PFAS.

PFAS Testing Services

Babcock Laboratories’ scope of testing services include the analysis of PFAS. Our clients include the U.S. EPA, public water systems, and engineering firms. Due to the diversity of our clients, we have experience providing a wide variety of electronic and hardcopy data deliverables.

For over 110 years, Babcock Labs has demonstrated a commitment to data integrity and high ethical standards. In addition to the rigorous Quality Control procedures conducted as part of the testing process, data integrity at Babcock Labs also involves a review of the pertinent regulatory limits and client historical data for early identification of data anomalies.

EPA Approved Lab

Since the inception of the EPA’s UCMR program, Babcock Laboratories has consistently received EPA laboratory approval for each round (1, 2, and 3), including the most recent round, UCMR 4. We have over 15 years of experience analyzing contaminants of emerging concern under contract with the EPA and for small water systems.

pfas compounds

EPA Method 537 & EPA Method 537 Modified

Our testing capabilities include compounds outlined in EPA Method 537 (Rev 1.1). EPA Method 537 identifies 14 perfluorinated compounds, six of which are included on List 1 of UCMR3. Babcock Laboratories has also modified Method 537 for use on alternate matrices outside of drinking water, such as soil and groundwater. To meet your specific testing needs, we are also able to test for additional compounds not listed in the above table upon request.

LC/MS/MS Expertise

Babcock Laboratories is recognized as a leader in the industry, and that recognition includes over 10 years of LC/MS/MS analyses expertise, the leading technology for determination of PFAS. We have received industry commendation for our innovative and extensive LC/MS/MS research and method development. Our current capability allows us to detect PFAS at low nanogram-per-liter levels in water.

We continuously reinvest in our staff, instrumentation, and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that we offer our clients reliable lab capacity and the best data quality available.